Container



A. s. SPEERI Aug. 24, 193 7.

CONTAINER Filed June 8, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. S.'SPEER 2,091,126

Aug. 24, 193 7.

" SSheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1935 Aug. 24, 1937. A. s. SPEER 2,091,126

' CONTAINER Filed June a, 1935 5 Sheets$hee :5 v

Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT ,o -nca V g r 2,091,126

V CONTAINER Alexander S. Speer; Bufialm N. Y. Application June a, 1935, Serial-No. 25,656 1 v '9 Claims. (01. 99 1s0j I This invention relates-to a container which is more particularly intended for packaging, enclosing or wrapping a body of ice-cream or similar comes'tible or like plastic material preparatory to serving this material by the manufacturer or dealer to a customer, a container of'this character being shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,612,660 granted December 28, 1926i One of the objects of this invention is to provide a container of this character which is made of paper or similar sheet like material in such manner that the same can be produced with a minimum amount of material for eachcontainer and completely enclose the body of the material on all sides thereof for protecting the same against readily filled with the material which is'tobe packed, and thereafter the sections of the container may be closed relative toeach other for putting the container in' the form in which the parts of the material within the container sections are brought into engagement. with each other and the container completely encloses the material to be packed.

Additional objects of this invention are to so construct the container that 'a plurality of the same may be formed in a longitudinal row from a strip of paper or like sheet material, and the several containers of a row may, whilein an open position, be simultaneously filled with the material which is to be packed, andafter the filling material has been placedinto the plurality of containers the latter maybe closed for completing' the formation of a longitudinal row of individual servings of ice-cream or the, am ne containers of which. are connected with each other and permit of breakingonefilled container from another when the same are to be served to a customer.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a sheet of material, such as paper, from which a plurality of containers embodying'my invention are adapted to be formed.

Figure 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away,

showing a strip of sheet material, such as paper,

out into the required form preparatory to bend ing orfolding the same into a shape which produces a longitudinal row of such containers which.

are open and in a position to receive the ice have been formed by bending orfolding the cut strip shown in Fig. 2,'so that these containers are arranged in a longitudinal rowand are con nected with each other and are in an openposition ready to receivethe filling material'which is to be packed therein. f

Figure 4 is atop plan view,"partly broken away, of a plurality of containers show'n in Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is across section taken on line 5-5 Fig. 4, showing the companion sectionsor pair filled with sections of the fillingmaterial which is to'be packed therein and enclosed by the. container.

U Figure 6 is a similar view showing Ithe tw"o sections of the containerv foldedor" closed for bringing the twosectionsof filling material within the container into engagementwith each other so that the same form onejbody of filling material and also complete the enclosure'of this body.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section, taken on the correspondingly numbered line in Fig.;'6,and showing a multiplicity of su' ch completed containers and fillings therein, arranged end toend to form a longitudinalrow and showing the opposing ends of adjacent containers connected with .each other.

Figure .8 'is a fragmentary perspective" view of a plurality of filled containers shown in Fig. 7

Figure .9 is a fragmentary plan view of a cut blankfor making acontainer which is. hexagonal 'in cross section. a

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view; showing a plurality of containers bentinto semi-- complete form from the blank, shown in Fig. ,9 preparatory to filling-the same with material.

Figure 11. isa cross: sectionof a'filled and completed containermadefrom the blank shown in Fig. 9. V d

, of halves of a container in. an open position and Figure 12 is a longitudinal ge amaren online l2-l2 Fig; 11. I Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a plurality of filled lcontainers shown inf-Fig. ''12.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view of a cutblank for making a container which is square in,

cross section. r V v I Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a. plurality of containers bent into semicomplete form from the blank shown in Fig. 14, preparatory to being filled with material.

Figure 16 is a cross Section of a filled and completed container made from the blank shown in Fig. 14.

Figure 17 is a longitudinal section taken on line I1I'I Fig. 16.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of a plurality of filled containers shown in Fig. 17.

In the following description similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings:,

Referring to Figs. 1-8, the numeral I0 representsv a strip of sheet material which preferably consists of a suitable thickness of paper which can be cut and bent or folded into the required shape for producing one container embodying this invention or a pluralityof them which'are arranged in a longitudinal row.

In the following description this sheet material may for convenience, be referred to as a strip or sheet of paper, but it is to be understood that such use of this term is merely a matter of convenience, and that this invention is intended to include the use of any kind of sheet material which is satisfactory for the making of these containers and packaging or enclosing ice-cream or other comestible or like material whichat times is of a plastic character.

The first operation in the production of a plurality of containers from the strip of material shown 'in Fig. 1 is to cut the same by the use of a suitable press so as to .form aplurality of transverse bands II, II which are arranged in a longitudinal row and spaced from each other, and

a plurality of pairs ofsubstantially semi-circular head sections I2 arranged adjacent to the transverse edges of each transverse band. Each of the transverse bands II comprises two side wall sec-' which is adapted to be grasped by the fingers for peeling the container from the filling enclosed thereby in serving this filling to a customer.

The semi-circular head sections I2 adjacent to each transverse edge of one ofthe'wall bands are arranged transversely side byside andthe central part of the periphery of each semicircular head section which ultimately becomes theouter edge portion thereof is connected with the central transverse edge portion of one of the wall sections l3 and is adapted to be folded relative thereto along a transverse line I! when bending the cut paper blank for producing the respective container.

The straight diametrical-edgeof each semicylindrical head section, which ultimately becomes the inner edge of the same, is arranged transversely and parallel with the adjacent transverse edge of the respectivewall band.

In the case of the endmost pairs of semicylindrical headsections or the blank, each of these sections is provided on the side opposite the ing the operations of placing the container in a mold and also removing the same therefrom, also handling the containers while dispensing their contents. These tabs also serve as means for more effectively closing or sealing the outer diametrical joints of the endmost containers of a longitudinal row so as to guard against contamination.

The diametrical lines of division between the tabs or flanges I8I and their companion head sections l2, as indicated by dotted lines 18 in Fig. 2, are preferably creased, scored, perforated or otherwise weakened so that each of these tabs may be readily bent on the respective line into a position in which it projects laterally relatively to the companion head section, as shown in Figs.

3, 4, '7 and 8.

In the case of the pair of semi-cylindrical head sections at the extremities of the strip of paper from which a plurality of containers are made, the diametrical edges of these head sections form the extremities of the latter. In thecase, however, of the semi-cylindrical head sections which arearranged intermediate of adjacent wall bands, each semi-circular .head section of one wall band is connected with the corresponding semi-cylindrical head section of the adjacent wall band along a transversediametricalline I9, so

tearing one of the intermediate head sections on I one wall band from the corresponding semicircular head section I2 of the adjacent Wall band I for apurpose whichwill presently appear.

After the blank has been cut andprepared in the manner indicated in Fig. '2 the same is bent, folded orformed by any suitable means so as to produce a plurality of pre-formed containers, the

parts of which are open and in a position to permit of introducing therein the material which is to be packed or wrapped preparatory to closing the, 'severalcontainers and completing the enclosure or wrapping of the filling within. v

In order to accomplish this bending or folding of the cut or prepared blank economically and expeditiously, this is preferably accomplished by a suitable machine provided for this purpose.

After the prepared blank has been thus subjected to this bending and folding operation, each of the wall sections I3, I3 is converted into a semi-cylindrical shape, the axis of which is arranged lengthwise, and the two semi-cylindrical sections being arranged transversely side byside and connected at their adjacent inner longitudinal edges along the longitudinal line I4 between the same, while the side tabs or flanges I Set the "outeredge's of-the respective wall sections are bent transversely outward; as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

- The semiecircular head sections I2 on opposite transverse edges of each wall band are also bent inwardly along the lines I! therebetween into the form of a two' ply' pleat or loop so that each of these head sections projects from the central part of each semi-cylindrical wall sectiontoward the axis of the same and at right angles thereto, and thus forms a head section for the respective semicylindrical wallsection at one end thereof, as,

shown in Figs. 3, 4 and'l. The end tabs I 8 I are also bent longitudinally outward, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. During this bendingof theseveral head sections. those at the extremities of the blank are merely bent inwardly relative to the axis of the respective wall sections with which they are connected, without affecting any other part of the blank, but the corresponding head sections arranged intermediate of the several wall bands are not only bent inwardly relatively to each other along the weakened line l9, but also folded together so that the plies of the pleat or loop formed thereby are arranged parallel or nearly so, and the adjacent wall bands, of which they form a part, are moved lengthwise toward each other, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and "I. v

When the parts of the pre-formed multiple containers have been thus formed, shaped or positioned a plurality of pairs of semi-cylindrical cells are produced which are arranged in a longitudinal row and the members of each cell are arranged transversely side by side, and each cell has a semi-cylindrical wall section which is connected at its inner edge with the corresponding edge of the companion wall section, while its outerlongitudinal edge is provided with a laterally projecting tab or fiang'e l5, and semi-circular heads are arranged at the opposite transverse end edges of the respective wall section and thereby form with the latter one-half of the enclosure of a complete container.

Obviously a single container can be constructed in accordance with the procedure just described, but in practice the forming of a plurality of containers from a single blank in the. manner described permits of the economical manufacture of these containers and the subsequent filling of the same with the material which is to be packed.

After a plurality of containers have been thus pre-formed and while the parts are in the relative position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the material which is to be packed is introduced into the two semi-circular. cells of each of the containers so that each section 20 of this filling is of substantially semi-cylindrical form andhas its rounded peripheral underside engaging with the inner side of the respective cell Wall, while the 'flat upper side thereof is flush or nearly flush with the upper edges of this cell. The filling of the material to be packed into the cells of the several containers is preferably effected while the cells of each pair are arranged horizontally side by side, and the inner or concave sides of these cells face upwardly, as shown in Fig. 5..

While the material is thus deposited in each cell of a container this material is confined therein by the semi-cylindrical side wall and the semi-circular head sections at opposite endsof this wall.

After the filling material has been thus introduced into the plurality of pairs of cells of the several preformed containers .while the latter are in an open position the two like halves of the filled multiple containers are closed or turned transversely relatively to each other so that the fiat diametrical sides of the filler sections in the respective cells of the containers engage-with each other and thereby complete into cylindrical form a filling in the cooperating halves or sections of each of the containers, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. When the two halves of each container are thus closed relatively to each other, the corresponding outer longitudinal edges of the two wall sections l3, I3 engage with each other, as shown in Fig. 6, so as to form an enclosure which completely surrounds the perimeter of the contents or filling of the container, and the diametrical free edges-of the head sections on the corresponding ends of the wall sections'are brought opposite each other and engage or nearly engage their tabs IB'I with'one another, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, whereby'thetwo head sectionsat each end of I a container together practically forma complete circular head which forms 'a 'clos'ure for the res'pective end of the container in the closed position of its parts and effectively protects the ice cream or other contents of the container against" contact:by hands and thus avoids possible contamination of the same.

In the closed position of the two sections of a container the tabs l5' at oppositeends of its peripheral wall engage with each other, as shown in Figs. Sand 8, and thereby aiding insealing the longitudinal joint in the container, similar to the manner in which this is donein Letters Patent No. 1,612,660 hereinbefore mentioned.

When the two sections of each containerare closed for'completing the encasement of the two semi-cylindrical sections of -ice cream or other material therebetween, a small quantity of this -material tends tooozeoutwardly into the joint split or slit between the fold at the inneredge of each connected pair of head sections l2 on each side of the axis of the containers and the fold at the inner end of the opposite connected pair of head sections, and also into the joint split or slit:

between theend tabs l8lat each end of .a row of containersfialso into the joint split or slit between the tabs. l5 at the opposite longitudinal edges of each circular wall band, whereby this ooze operates as an adhesive'or cementing agent which connects the respectiveparts of each container and seals these joints so asto protect the contents of the containers against contaminationor 1 deterioration.

After the two halves of the'multiple' container have beenthus closed for completing the'forma' tion of the containers and enclosing the contents thereof, a plurality of filled containers are pro-,

duced which are-arrangedend-to end in a longitudinal row. In the case'of ice-cream the filled containers are preferably subjected-to afurthe r 1 cooling treatment by placing the'same' in a refrigerator in order to harden and season the icecream and-cause it to retain its=shape preparatory to being served. a

During hardening of the ice-cream the oppos-' mg relatively flat diametrical surfaces of (each unit will'adhere to eachother and cause the companion sections of ice-cream in each container to practically form a solidintegral unit which operates to hold the container in its'closed position, so that it isdifiicultif not impossible to again open thecontainer andseparate-the'lcefcream.

sections therein. 7 1 I, I

While the container-sections' arid the filling distributed over different parts of the blank and a strong and durable container is produced which consists of but a single ply. of paper or sheet ma.- terlal throughout the entire container where the same is engaged by the filling or contents, and

sections therein arein a 'closedposition the Ion- 5 I thus enables the contents'of' the container to 'b'emaintained in a uniform condition andconslstency when exposed to difierent temperatures.

Insertion of'the blanks into the molds for hold-- ingthe same in place, removal of the same after being filled and transferring thereof to a refrigeratoras well-as subsequentrmanipulation for dispensing purposes is facilitated by grasping the stabs l8l which may be utilized as handles in addition to serving, ,as,means ,for more effectively sealing the outer ends of the endmost containers of a longitudinal row; The size of each container is preferably so.de

10 termined that the contents or filling thereof is suitable-for one service tosaqcustomer, which quantity is usually referred to as a portion, serving or unit?.

When it is desired to serve a customer with a portion of ice cream, one of the containers is separated from the, othersin the longitudinal row of which it is a member by severing the respective container between that end thereof which is connected with an adjacent container. This can be readily accomplished by breaking or severing'the two semi-circular head sections I2 of one container from those of an adjacent container along the lines i9, 19 between the corresponding head sections. Owing to these lines'being weakened by reason of the formation of perforations, slits, indentations, scores or creases thereinpthe same permits of readily breaking or tearing-off one filled container from another without the use of a knife or other instrument for this purpose.

After a filledcontainer has been thus broken off or separated from others of like character the contents of this filled container can be readily deposited upon a dish by grasping with the fingers the two tabs l5 at opposite ends of the peripheral wall of the container and thenf pulling these two tabs apart, wherebythe wall; and end heads of the container will be peeled off from the filling of ice-cream or the like and enable the latter to be deposited upon a dish without the fingers of- .45 but the same also can be easily and conveniently served without coming in contact with the human hands. l

,Owing to the simplicity of the construction of this container and the advantageous utilization of paper .or other material for covering the entire surface of the body or filling of material which is to be packed, edible goods of this character may be protected at aminimum of cost and the goods may also be served very economically, expeditiously and in the best condition. a,

Instead of making the side wall'or body of the containers of cylindrical form in cross, section and the heads thereof in the form of round disks, the blank may be cut, as shown in Fig. 9, and bent as shown in Figs; 10-13, so that each of the side walls BI is of hexagonal form in cross section, and each of the end heads IZI has the form of a hexagonal disk,-but in other respects the blank and container are of substantially the same construction as the blank adapted for making a container of cylindrical form in accordance with this invention, which is shown in Figs. 2-8, and corresponding parts therefore are indicated by like reference characters. a v 'Similarly the-blank may be cut', as shown in Fig. 14, and bent as shown in Figs..15, 16, 1'7 and "18, that each of the side walls I 22 of the container is'of square form in cross section, and each of the end heads l23, has the form of a square disk, but is likewise in other respects substantially identical with the structure of the blanks and resulting containers shown in Figs. 2-13, and the same description andreferencecharacters are thereforelemployed to identify corresponding parts of these-various formsof the invention.

;-In all of the several forms of this invention a part of each half of the side wall of the container is bent inwardly to, form one-half of a complete head for an end of the container, and the body of the container has a longitudinal slit extending throughout the length thereof, so that the container may be readily filled while in an open positionand the contents completely covered and protected when the container is closed, and the contents may also be readily discharged without touching the same.

I claim as my invention:

. 1. A container for packaging'a filling of plastic material comprising a longitudinal wall adapted to enclose the longitudinal side of'the filling and provided with a longitudinal split, and transverse heads adapted to enclose-thetransverse ends of the filling and each head having a part of its edge connected with a part of the adjacent end of the longitudinal wall and said wall being provided diametricallyopposite saidsplit with a longitudinal bendable portion which constitutes a line whereby this wall is divided into two sections each of which is adapted to receive a part of the filling material to be packed and about for bringingtheir inner sides opposite to each other and engaging theparts of said material on the inner side of said wall sections with each other.

2. A container for packaging a filling of plastic material comprising a longitudinal wall adapted to enclose the longitudinal side of the filling and provided with a longitudinal split, and transverse heads adapted to enclose the transverse ends of the filling and each head being composed of two sections which have their inner edges opposed and theirouter edges conncctedwith diametrically opposite edge portions of the respective end of said wall and said wall being provided diametrically opposite said split with a longitudinal bendable portion which constitutes a line whereby this wall is divided into two sections each of which is adapted to receive a part of the filling material to be packed and about which line said. sections are adapted to be bent for bringing their inner sides opposite to each other and engaging the parts of said material on the inner side of said wall sections with each other. 3. A container for packaging a filling of plastic the outer edges of the section of each head and e the respective end of the side wall being on a plane at right angles to the plane ofv the longitudinal split in said wall and said wall being provided' diametrically opposite said split with a longitudinal bendable portion which constitutes a line whereby this wall is divided into two sections each of which is adaptedto receive apart of the filling material to be packed and about which line' said sections are adapted to be bent for bringing their inner sides opposite-to each v which line said sections are adapted to be bent I material having the form of a cylinder provided with fiat ends, said container comprising a cylindrical wail adapted to enclose the longitudinal side of the filling and provided with a longitudinal split, and fiat heads of disk shape adapted to v enclose the transverse ends of the filling and each havingan edge portion connected with a part of the adjacent end of said wall and said wall being provided diametrically opposite said split with a longitudinal bendable portion which constitutes a line whereby this wall is divided into two sections each of which is adapted to receive a part of the filling material to be packed and about which line said sections are adapted to be bent for bringing their inner sides opposite V2;) to each other and engaging the parts of. said material on the inner side of said wall sections with each other.

5. A container for packaging a filling of plastic material having the form of a cylinder provided with fiat ends, said container comprising a cylindrical wall adapted to enclose the longitudinal side of the filling and provided with a longitudinal split, and fiat heads of. disk shape adapted to enclose the transverse ends of the filling and each being composed of two semi-circular sections which have their inner straight edges opposed and their outer curved edges connected partly with diametrically opposite edge portions of the adjacent end of said wall and said wall being provided diametrically opposite said split with a longitudinal bendable portion which constitutes a line whereby thiswall is divided into two sections each of which is adapted to receive a part of the filling material to be packed and r about which line said sections are adapted tobe bent for bringing their inner sides opposite to each other and engaging the parts of said material on the inner side of said wall sections with each other.

6. A plurality of containers for packaging a plurality of fillings of plastic material arranged in a longitudinal row, each of said containers having a longitudinal side wall enclosing the side of one of said fillings and a longitudinal split in one part thereof, and transverse end heads en-. closing the opposite ends of the respective filling and each head composed of two sections which have their inner edges opposed and their outer edges connected with diametrically opposite edge 55 portions of the adjacent end of the respective wall, and the corresponding head sections of adjacent containers having their inner edges connectedwith each other andsaid wall being provided diametrically opposite said slit with a longitudinal bendable portion which constitutes a line whereby this wall is divided into two sections each.

of which is adapted to receive a part of the filling material to be packed and about which line said sections are adapted to be bent for bringing their inner sides opposite to each other and engaging the parts of .said material on the inner side of said wall sections with each other. '7. A container for packaging a filling of plastic material comprising aside wall adapted to surround the perimeter of the filling and having a longitudinal split throughout the length thereof, and a pair of. half-heads projecting inwardly from diametrically opposite parts of each transverse edge of the side wall and having their inner ends opposing each other and forming a complete head for the respective end of the container and said wall being provided. diametrically opposite said split with a longitudinal bendableportion which constitutes a line whereby this wall is divided into two sections each-of which is ad'apt-, ed to receive a part of the filling material to be packed and about which line said sections are adapted to be bent for bringing their inner sides sections with each other.

8. A new article of manufacture comprising a filling of plastic material, andacontainer of sheet-like material having a side .wall surrounding the perimeter of the filling and provided with a longitudinal split extending throughout the length thereof, and provided at its opposite transverse ends with inwardly'bent head portions extending across opposite transverse ends of "saidside wall and said'wall being provided diametri-. cally opposite said split with a longitudinal bcnd-, able portion which constitutes a line whereby this wall is divided into two sectionseach of which receives a part of said filling and about which said wall has been bent for bringing said filling sections into engagement with each other.

9. A new article of manufacture comprising a filling of plastic material, and acontainer of sheet-like material having a side wall surrounding the perimeter of the filling and provided with a longitudinal split extending throughout the length thereof, and provided on diametrically opposite sides of each end of the side wall with inwardly projectinghalf-heads which oppose each other and form a complete head for the respective end of the side wall and said wall being provided diametrically opposite said split with a 

